Expert: John Zalewski - 6/3/2011

Question
Hello,
I am 20 years old, and trying to establish where my beliefs lie. First let me say that I believe in God; I am just not sure about christianity. I would consider myself to have an unbiased view of the bible, not having any teaching forced on me as a child.

My question is how can the bible be considered authentic?  Firstly I understand the different gospels were written over a great span of time- how can this relate to a credible account of events?  Also, why has God turned his back on us? Is there any point in worshipping if he has? Futhermore, I have prayed to God before, but he never seems to answer my prayers, or even confirm his existance...  

Unfortunately part of my mind has gained the opinion that relgion is something that was created by cunning men to control others. Perhaps it has only grown to what it is today because it has become embedded within our culture. Do not most christians only believe because their religion has been a part of their upbringing? After all children are easily influenced and don't always think for themselves.

Sorry to ask such a difficult and doubtful question, but my rationality is convincing me that christianity is false. Rergardless I think the bible teaches people to lead good lives, and can be considered the ultimate source of wisdom.
Stu

Answer
Hello, Stu.

The Bible can be considered authentic because it has been shown to be historically accurate. Much of what the Bible teaches can be backed up by the historical record, archaeology, or other fields of study.

For example, the Bible speaks of Israel and Jerusalem, and various kings which ruled over these nations. Some of this history has been validated, as have the life and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is much evidence in the natural world (fossils, etc.) that there indeed was a global flood in the time of Noah. This is what is clearly shown by unbiased science, precisely what the Bible teaches.

Indeed, there are many young earth evidences from the natural world, which again, is precisely in line with what the Bible teaches.

Here's a website which may help you further: http://www.thetrumpet.com/?page=article&id=1817

The Bible can also be considered authentic because there are many prophecies in the Word of God, prophecies which have come true. The renewal of Israel, the life, death, and crucifixion of Christ, and other prophecies are declared long in advance of the actual events taking place. If we are to be objective, then we have to understand that only God could effect something like this.

2) Do you mean that the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) were written over a long period of time, or the sixty-six Books of the Bible? The Gospels were penned, under the inspiration of God, only a short time after Christ went back to Heaven. I believe they were penned sometime in the first century. I've heard atheists claim that these Gospels were not written for at least 500 years after Christ, but this is not true. It's just a baseless claim being made by those who want to discredit the Bible.

The entire Bible was penned over a period of about 1600 years. But this actually gives credence to the truth of the Bible. Because it seems highly unlikely that several different authors of a book, in various locations of the world, over this many centuries, could produce a book, all by themselves, that has such great consistency. The Bible has great consistency within its pages. The various penmen had no way of collaborating with each other, and yet, the Bible doesn't contradict itself.

3) God has not turned His back on us. He is the giver of all life, and every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). All of our food, water, oxygen, money, family, friends, talents, intelligence, etc., ultimately comes from God. So it seems impossible to say that God has turned His back on us.

And there is great reason to worship God. When we realize Who God is, that He's not just a super-human of some sort, but He is the perfect, infinite, all-powerful God, Who alone can forgive sins, and Who is the Judge of the earth, then  yes, it's easy to see why we are to worship and praise Him.

God is not under obligation to answer anybody's prayers, nor to blatantly confirm His existence to anyone. Actually, the Bible prevents God from showing Himself in a supernatural way, as Revelation 22:18 teaches. (God is under the Law of the Bible, just as humans are.) And when we think about it, God has confirmed His existence. When we look at the universe, and how it is so finely tuned for life, and when we look at the human body, and see how wonderfully designed it is, and when we see the complex computer-like code of DNA, and so on and so forth, we can see quite clearly that there must have been some kind of Designer-God Who brought all of this together.

To believe that random chance could form something with such exquisite complexity is ridiculous, and deep down everyone knows it.

4) All I can say for your next comment is that if Christianity were truly just created by cunning men to control others, then the Bible itself should not be as consistent and as accurate as it is. Men are not so smart. Also, why would the disciples, and many others, die willingly for the Gospel, if they knew that it was a lie? Why would Jesus die willingly for what He knew to be a lie?

I really can't speak for others and the reason why they believe. I'm sure that some of them believe simply because that was part of their upbringing. That can go for other religions, too. But that's not the only reason. Many, many people have looked at the Scriptures with an objective eye, and realized that the historical record, prophecies, etc., do support the Bible. And I do believe that many people trust the Bible because it has been confirmed by the outside, and not only because they were brought up with it.

I hope this helps. Any further questions, please ask.

May God bless you,
John

Job 34:3: For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.